Custom Handmade Furniture & Art

Poplar Study #1

Many countries are exploring the use of lesser known species of wood for furniture. I spent a month in Honduras designing a line of furniture on a Mayan theme, specifically using species of woods not commonly utilized. Trends come and go, and I don’t know why some woods are not as popular as others. When I returned, I wanted to show that our native Manitoba woods can be as spectacular as the so-called ‘exotic species’.

Poplar—such a common tree, but we rarely see what treasures it holds inside.This table has a poplar base with a birchbark top surrounded by a poplar frame and covered in plexiglas.

I worked with a sawyer to cut the wood to show off the incredible iridescence that gives it a 3-D look. The top of the table is birchbark covered with plexiglas so it can be used as an entry table or an end table. If desired, the plexiglas can be removed to reveal a beautiful top that you can feel as well as see. In that case, one would want to use coasters when putting drinks on it. The table measures 65cm wide x 50cm deep x 70cm high (25.5”W x 19.5”D x 27.5” H). Price: $200